In fact, if I were the benevolent dictator of a small country I would probably ban all guns and weapons of mass destruction. To dramatically reduce violence in this mythical nation, I might also entertain proposals for having all boys from the ages of 14 to 28, attend an enriching and purposeful year-round boarding school. I might get in trouble for writing that (and my three wonderful sons will be appalled), but I'm not running for office -- and, this is my fantasy, not a reality show.

So why did I sigh and shake my head when I heard about the county's approach to local gun control? Because I've come to believe that the posturing and intense conflict over the myriad gun control measures is doing more harm than good. The current cycle is this: Gun control proponents put forward a laundry list of additional restrictions on guns; gun rights activists respond with screams of protest and propose their own preposterous solutions; each gun control regulation at each level of government is challenged; studies are inconclusive about the effects of gun restrictions on gun violence; more laundry lists are put forth. Our country's gun culture gets uglier.

Where is there hope? Instead of continuing this counterproductive churn, we must form a basis for the rule of law around gun issues. We must engage new voices and build broad public consensus on what constitutes "common sense" gun restrictions (that, according to recent polls, upward of 90 percent of Americans support), employ laws in a fair and uniform way, and enforce them vigorously with both carrots and sticks.

This will require quelling the polarizing rhetoric and extreme voices. I say we start by neutralizing the NRA.

Culture change takes time, thought and strategic action. It's not a silver bullet, but it is a far better foundation for reducing gun violence in this country than our current patchwork of laws and atmosphere of fear and paranoia.